Christmas lights shine bright in Anaheim

From left, Kerri, Kenny and Kelly Kushner earned the Best Display of Lights in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour, which included more than 20,000 lights, 1,000 power cords and an operating train that puffs smoke. "We try to keep it traditional for the little kids," Kenny Kushner said. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

A strand of lights and a plastic reindeer would not stand a chance in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour – not against these residents who take decorating to the extreme.

The city's Anaheim Beautiful committee has chosen this year's Best Display of Lights, Most Unique, Most Traditional, Most Inspirational, Best Animation, Best Commercial Display and Most Community Spirit.

And siblings Kenny and Kerri Kushner did well.

Again.

In the past, they were named Most Traditional and Most Unique, and this time the Kushners took home Best Display of Lights. In all, they have won four times.

"We try to keep it traditional for the little kids," Kenny Kushner said.

The candy-themed light display is at the home of Kerri, her 15-year-old daughter, Kelli, and mother, Doris. Kenny comes over from his house elsewhere in Anaheim to lend a big hand.

The Kushners' passion for Christmas decorating started seven years ago as a friendly competition between Kenny – decorating his mom's house – and his brother Ron.

Kenny Kushner made items such as the family's "Ho, Ho, Ho" sign.

"I got really involved in it and started making all of the characters," Kenny Kushner said. "Kerri helps paint, and my niece helps outline everything in lights."

To have the display up and running by Thanksgiving weekend, four of Kenny's employees from his contracting business help set up the display in six days as he oversees the operation. Kerri and Kelli do the final touches.

Ron and Eva Gardetto know a thing or two about outdoor decorating, too.

"It started with just a Santa hanging from the roof and the little elves that my youngest daughter wanted to paint, and it has mushroomed since then," Eva Gardetto said.

For 25 years, the couple has been elaborately decorating with such items as Disney characters. Fueled by a desire to share the Christmas spirit with their six grandchildren, Ron Gardetto spends three days on the display.

"I like doing it," Ron said. "I like when people come by and stop and look (at the house)."

The winner of each award for the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour was recognized onTuesday at the Anaheim council chambers by Sandra Sagert, president of Anaheim Beautiful.

From left, Kerri, Kenny and Kelly Kushner earned the Best Display of Lights in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour, which included more than 20,000 lights, 1,000 power cords and an operating train that puffs smoke. "We try to keep it traditional for the little kids," Kenny Kushner said. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
From left, Terry, Hayden and Randy Vayda stand in front of their heavily decorated home in Anaheim, which was awarded for Best Animation. Their decorations include Santa dolls, Rudolph, gingerbread men, monkeys, polar bears, singing snowmen, candy canes, elves and much more. "We get creative," Terry Vayda said. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Chuck and Natalie Smith stand in the artificial snow that falls upon their front-yard decorations, which earned Best Commercial Display. "We really enjoy Christmas,” Chuck Smith said. "“We believe we have a North Pole theme.” KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Oyoque family of Anaheim stand in front of their Christmas decorations, which was awarded for the Most Traditional category in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The Gardetto family (from left: Ron, Katie, Anna, Eva and Andrew) won the Most Unique category in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour contest, with decorations including lights and hand-crafted and painted wood cutouts. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A wooden train cutout crafted and painted by Ron and Katie Gardetto sits in their front yard in Anaheim. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Linda and Alden Esping of Anaheim were awarded Most Inspirational house in the 2012 Anaheim Beautiful Holiday Lights Tour. KEVIN LARA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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